ountry's first multi-party presidential and
legislative elections had been scheduled for May 1997 but were not
held; instead KABILA overthrew the MOBUTU government and seized
control of the country

Judicial branch: Supreme Court (Cour Supreme)

Political parties and leaders: sole legal party until January
parties include Union for Democracy and Social Progress or UDPS
note: President KABILA, who has banned political party activity
indefinitely, currently leads the Alliance of Democratic Forces for
the Liberation of Congo-Zaire or AFDL

International organization participation: ACCT, ACP, AfDB, CCC,
CEEAC, CEPGL, ECA, FAO, G-19, G-24, G-77, IAEA, IBRD, ICAO, ICFTU,
ICRM, IDA, IFAD, IFC, IFRCS, IHO, ILO, IMF, IMO, Intelsat, Interpol,
IOC, IOM (observer), ITU, NAM, OAU, OPCW, PCA, SADC, UN, UNCTAD,
UNESCO, UNHCR, UNIDO, UPU, WCL, WFTU, WHO, WIPO, WMO, WToO

Diplomatic representation in the US:
chief of mission: Ambassador Faida MITIFU
chancery: 1800 New Hampshire Avenue NW, Washington, DC 20009

Diplomatic representation from the US:
chief of mission: Ambassador William Lacy SWING
embassy: 310 Avenue des Aviateurs, Kinshasa
mailing address: Unit 31550, APO AE 09828

Flag description: light blue with a large yellow five-pointed
star in the center and a columnar arrangement of six small yellow
five-pointed stars along the hoist side

Economy

Economy--overview: The economy of the Democratic Republic of the
Congo--a nation endowed with vast potential wealth--has declined
significantly since the mid-1980s. The new government instituted a
tight fiscal policy that initially curbed inflation and currency
depreciation, but these small gains were quickly reversed when the
foreign-backed rebellion in the eastern part of the country began in
August 1998. The war has dramatically reduced government revenue,
and increased external debt. Foreign businesses have curtailed
operations due to uncertainty about the outcome of the conflict and
because of increased government harassment and restrictions. Poor
infrastructure, an uncertain legal framework, corruption, and lack
of transparency in government economic policy remain a brake on
investment and growth. A number of IMF and World Bank missions have
met with the new government to help it develop a coherent economic
plan but associated reforms are on hold.

GDP: purchasing power parity--$34.9 billion (199